Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-10

Inc system Of county aud general confer.
ences originated in Maine. 1t was suooe.,ed
at the annual meeting of the York A.,oc;..
.lon' at Alfred. Aug. 6, 1922 Rev. Charles
freeman OF Limerick. Rev. Levi Lorine Of
Athens, and Rev. Nathan Douglas, OF Alfred
are supposed to be the first to propose e.n
annual meeting Of the churches. to .dv.nce
the Interests of religion in the coun,vn a,
iork The first local conference vas held
al Buxton, Oct /. 1922 It va, called tho
annual Meeting of the Associated Church.
e.. But at the second annual meeting in
aured, Oct Z, 1923. it was changed TO The
conference of Churches in the County M
1ork, which name it has retained to the
present day ~ Vic
On the 24th of December, 1922, Cumber.
iaho conference was form I'd in Gorham. The
preacher ON the occasion was the eminen- DR..
fayson of Portland Oxford Conference
was organized in Bridgton. Jan. l6. 1894
ihese three conferences met in Falmouth
DEC rs, 1924. to consider the subj @, of a
general Conference. The constitution presen,.
20 was sent to the several conference.
ana ministerial associations, includ.
ing also kennrbec which wa. organ
Hrd IN winthrop. Oct 20, 1923. and
somerset, formed IN Norridgew ock, Oct. l
1870 Delegates from the above conferences
"nu a'so from frnooscot, organized At Brown
snie' Jan. II. 1925; Hancock, at Buckspor,,
i"y ~ ana Lincoln at Alma. June s, met
jan. ~, 1926. and formed general confer
ence. Mr. Edward Pavson was chosen Mod.
erat'r Rev. Seneca White of Bath, Scribe.
Rev. Charles freeman Of Limerick. who
was the first Corresponding Secretary.
preached the sermon. Meetings were held
curing the year June ID and 90, at Minot and
hennebunkport; IN West rock. Jan. 8. 1927.
ana Portland Jan. IL: ut Hallowell. June
ioZ'. From that time the general confer
ehce mas met annually in June. Rev. Ben
Jamin Iappan ID. d.. of the South Church.
augusta, was Moderator the first four years
Inc OBJECT of the general conference from
'he nrst has been in accordance with its
constitution, 10 promote intercourse and
harmony among tn. churches of the State.
ana to produce more extensive co-opera-
ton IN every good work" And so it has
peen free from troublesome controversy
AID Improbable and entangling doctrinal
dl-cusslons There has been difference of
opinion, especially in regard to slavery and
intemperance, the di.cussions were often ex
citing, yet there has been the endeavor TO
keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of
peace"
ne yearly gatherings have been seasons
OF pleasant and profitable christian fellow
snip and communion, imparting strength and
courage, and giving an Impulse to christian
work throughout the State. An opportunity
10 given to see and hear ministers and lavmen
from all parts of the State, and delegates
from other States, and denominations
representatives from our benevolent asso-
Citations are also present, adding interest and
freshness to the sessions.
The Maine Missionary Society, orgaI liz ed in
1908, holds its annual session on the second
day, the whole forenoon being given to it's
most important work.
The Maine Congregational Charitable
Society, which aids the idOws and families of
deceased ministers. and the Maine Branch of
the American College and Education Society
observe their anniversaries 1.-THE Maine Branch
OF the Woman's Board of Missions have
held their annual meeting from 1872, and the
Woman's Maine Missionary Auxiliary, and
the Womsn'- Aid to thu American Mission
AIRY Association from 1880.
In 1926, when the c inference WAS organ
lied, there were eight local couf renc-s in
cluded in it, l20 churches. about 5000 mem
bers. and 65 ministers, about 5000 in Sunday
schools. Ten wears later there were ten
conferences, CUnion and Washington being
added) 1873 churches, ID 934 members. l43
ministers, $1,000 in sunday schools. In
1886. there were 10 conferences, 249 churches.
II 405 members, 1871 ministers, % EOS in
Sunday schools. The first record of benevo-
lent contributions was in 1852, S2l ,432. In
1886 it was S44,2l5.
The conf renee held in Augusta in 1896,
had for its moderator Mr.. Samuel johnson,
of Ssco, afterwards Secretary of the Maine
Missionary Society; Rev. Charles Freeman,
Limerick. Corresponding Secretary Rev.
David Shapley. of North Yarmouth,
Recording Secretary. There were present,
Rev. MIR. Brown from st Petersburg. Russia,
delegates from New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massac husetts, and Rev. DIR. Murray from
the Presbyterian church; Rev. Asa Billiard
of Massachusetts, Secretary for Sabbath
schools; DIR. Armstrong, one of the Secreta-
ries of the American b. c. +. M. and Rev
VIM. Clark. for the American Tract Socie
tv. TIL opening sermon was by Rev. s. G..
Tenney of Vermont; conference sermon by
Rev. d NJ. Mitchell of Waldoboro. Matthew
6 10; sermon before the Maine Missionary
Society, By Rev. Stephen Thurston of
Prospect, Theme, Zion the Perfection of
Beauty" Report of Bangor Theological
Seminary by Rev. John Boynton of Phps-
burg; of the churches. by Rev. G. Freeman,
VIM. Ladd presented the subject of peace.
Other topics discussed, ''Temperance,"
slavery" Family Religion The Sab
bath
At the meeting in 1876. Rev. Stephen
Thurston of Searsport, was Moderator; Rev
J w. Chickerlng of Portland, Corresponds
ing Secretary Rev. + + Cutter of Belfast.
Recording Secretary. Rev Mr.. Adams, from
Havre France, Rev. DR.. Ginstinisni,a native
of Rome educated q Roman priest, converted
10 the Protestant faith. were present, a. also
delegates from Massachusetts, Vermont,
Wisconsin, Rev. John Gray ID. d., from the
PRESBYTERIAN church, Rev. Mr.. Dodd IN be-
half of the Protestant Association, Rev DR..
Welch for the American Sunday School I'm
ion. Rev Mr. Lane on behalf of the Ameri
can Tract Society, and Rev D.Green, Secre
tsry of the American b. c +. NJ. A com
munication from the General Association of
Massachusetts, touching slavery was presented
bv Rev DR.. Benz Tappsn, which was dis
cussed and an answer returned, asserting the
guilt of slavery, an adherence of the sys-
TEN, contrary to the word of God. and
..entreating" all shareholders, who profess 20
be discipies of Him who came Ito preach de
liverance to the csptives," to review their
opinion on this subject and to do their utmost
to free the church from the pollution OF this
guilt.
The opening sermon was by Rev. Geo.
Shepard, ID. D., Professor in Bangor Semi
nary. Ps 9:l26 Conference sermon. Rev.
Natbsniel Chairman of Camden, Eph. :l-3.